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Apple files patent to prevent broken headphone connectors and iDevice damage

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 16, 2013

Yet more encouraging news that Apple is designing its devices for users, rather than engineers. The original designs of headphone connectors were brittle, permitting headphones to be inserted and removed at perfect right angles. However an Apple patent application published Thursday outlines flexible headphone connectors.

In other words, you'll likely be able to wrap plugged-in headphones around your favorite iDevice without harming the hardware. The invention doesn't come too soon - the headphone jack is seen as the one roadblock to creating thinner, more svelte iPhones...

Flurry: moms use iPads, singles use iPhones

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 25, 2018

Some interesting research is out, indicating that some iOS users tend toward the iPhone, while others are more likely tapping away at the iPad. While mobile advertising analytics firm Flurry gathered the data to help companies better target their apps and ads, the findings are intriguing for us all.

Of the various 'personas' tracked, so-called 'Value Shoppers' (those bargain-hunting souls) are most strongly attached to their iPhones, while 'Pet Owners' prefer the iPad. Overall, 72 percent of iOS owners tend to use the iPhone most, while the iPad garners 28 percent of the mobile iDevice users...

Turn in your old iPhone and iPad for Walmart credit

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 16, 2013

Retail giant Walmart is putting its own spin on the growing trend toward trade-ins. Ahead of the expected September 10 unveiling of Apple's next smartphone, the retailer is offering credit toward in-store purchases.

The 'Gadgets to Gift Cards' program lets you trade your iPhone or iPad in for a quick gift card for Walmart products either in-store or online. However, unlike strictly cash for your iPhone, the retailer is essentially turning your gadgets into grocery money by offering you a line of credit, bringing some reservations to the offer...

Syfy brings its top TV shows to iOS with Syfy Now

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Television channel Syfy announced today that it is relaunching its Syfy for iPhone app as 'Syfy Now' and its iPad app as 'Syfy Sync,' in an effort to compartmentalize their respective features. Sync, for example, will now be a dedicated second-screen title.

But as for Syfy Now, it's been completely redesigned with more features like iCloud sync, iPad compatibility, and access to more content. Users can now watch full episodes of their favorite Syfy shows and can find new episodes in the app a day after they air...

Apple beefs up hiring in China

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 16, 2013

Heightened competition coming from both Western and local makers of inexpensive Android handsets coupled with lack of new product announcements and state-run media increasingly blasting Apple while favoring domestic companies have all added up to market share losses and a fourteen percent drop in revenue in what Tim Cook often refers to as Apple's "most important market" that is China.

Realizing it is losing ground in the massive 1.33 billion people market due to politics and competition, Apple has apparently responded by beefing up hiring in China, the Wall Street Journal has learned. Among the positions Apple seeks to fill: an environmental affairs program manager, a security specialist and a store specialist...

Apple could still be planning TV product announcement for this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

It seems that with all of the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C and iPad 5 chatter over the last few months, that talk of a new Apple TV-related product has faded into the background. The last TV-related rumor we heard said it was going to be late 2014 before we saw anything.

But that may not be true, according to Apple insider MG Siegler. During an appearance on John Gruber's Talk Show podcast this week, the Apple blogger-turned-VC commented that he's heard some chatter of Apple making a significant push into television this fall...

Judge tosses App Store monopoly suit

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 16, 2013

Back in 2011, a suit was leveled against Apple of California, alleging its tight control of the App Store and the way it handles third-party software distribution for the iPhone constitutes a monopoly. The plaintiffs charged consumers can only get apps only from the App Store due to Apple's decision to shut out thrid-party app stores on its platform.

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, dismissed the suit over a procedural blunder. The plaintiffs, the ruling explains, have failed to prove they've been “deprived of lower cost alternatives" or "paid higher prices for Apple-approved applications", or had their iPhones "disabled or destroyed"...

Flow Colors treats you to a colorfully addictive puzzle game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Puzzle games can be fun when done right. There are some that are too repetitive and are ultimately overshadowed by too many clones and copycats. Too much of the same thing can sour any genre.

Flow Colors is an interesting and unique puzzle game that makes you think about the path you take and whether there is something better to be done…

Aeroplanes makes Battleship an airborne fight

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Tired of the same old patrol boats, submarines, and destroyers of your grandparent’s Battleship game? Looking for a new way to guess your enemies whereabouts and then blow them to bits? Then, you are in luck.

Areoplanes is a fun new game that uses the basic structure of the nearly 50-year-old Battleship game, but instead of fighting at sea, you’ll be flying through the sky…

Revered analyst calls for iPhone 5S with gold colorway,128GB option

Cody Lee ∙ August 15, 2013

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has sent out a note to investors this evening, updating his previous predictions for Apple's next smartphone. Kuo's track record with Apple product predictions is good, so what he says carries a fair amount of weight.

In the note, Kuo says he is expecting the iPhone 5S to feature the new A7 chip, 1GB of RAM, and a sapphire-covered Home button with a built-in fingerprint sensor—pretty standard stuff. But he also expects a gold colorway and a 128GB storage option...

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 6 with fix for iTunes in the Cloud issue

Cody Lee ∙ August 15, 2013

Apple has unexpectedly seeded iOS 7 beta 6 to developers this afternoon, breaking its typical two-week cycle. The update comes just a little more than week after beta 5 landed, and appears to be an emergency fix-related release.

Beta 6 is available now to all registered Apple developers via both the Dev Center and OTA, which can be installed by visiting the Software Update section in the Settings app of proper devices that currently have iOS 7 installed…